GOODWELL, Okla. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State softball team (5-19, 3-7 SAC) was defeated in Friday's doubleheader, 6-0 and 10-1, against No. 3 Oklahoma City (17-3, 6-0) at Jim Quimby Field.
The Stars, as they have done much of the season with a pitching staff and lineup that rank inside the top 15 in earned run average, runs scored and batting average in the NAIA amongst a host of other stats, proved too much for the Aggies to handle to open the series.
Game 1: Starting pitcher
Marin Jacobs was solid per usual, but several seeing-eye singles helped OCU build a lead through the middle innings. The Stars scored once in the second, three in the third, and once each in the fourth and sixth innings to take a 6-0 lead.
Oklahoma City's ace Brynlee Alsip (9-2) shut the Panhandle State lineup down through five innings, and one of the nation's top relievers in McKenna Snyder closed the door from there.
Jacobs allowed 10 hits, but none of them went for extra bases. She struck out two Stars and walked only one batter.
Flora Moreno (2-for-3) and
Summer Marron (1-for-3) tallied the Aggies' lone base knocks, while
Jules Leach stole one base in the opener.
Game 2: Jordan Johnson got the nod in the nightcap and started her day with two scoreless frames, aided by solid defense behind her.
The Aggie lineup threatened in the second inning following a leadoff double from
Haeley Vasquez, and after
Mia Cavallini's single and stolen base, Panhandle State had two runners in scoring position with one out. OPSU was unable to capitalize, and OCU took advantage by grabbing a 2-0 lead in the top of the third.
The hosts also stranded two runners in the third frame, which proved costly as the Stars tacked on in the fourth and fifth innings before putting the game away with a grand slam in the sixth inning that made it 10-0.
Kaylee Jund notched a pinch-hit, RBI double to left field in the bottom of the sixth to plate
Reighley Wilkerson – aboard via a walk – to avoid the shutout, but OPSU could not extend the game to the seventh frame.
Catcher
Rani Box caught one baserunner stealing during the contest, marking the first such instance in the freshman's career behind the plate.
What's up next: The Aggies look to steal a game or two Saturday as it hosts the No. 3-ranked Stars for the series-closing doubleheader beginning at 12 noon.